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Fathers4Justice campaigner 'sprayed help' on Queen portrait, court hears | Fathers4Justice campaigner 'sprayed help' on Queen portrait, court hears |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A Fathers4Justice campaigner who attacked a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey appeared to spray the word "help", a court has heard. | A Fathers4Justice campaigner who attacked a portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey appeared to spray the word "help", a court has heard. |
Tim Haries, of Bellis Avenue, Doncaster is alleged to have smuggled a can of purple paint into the abbey on 13 June. | Tim Haries, of Bellis Avenue, Doncaster is alleged to have smuggled a can of purple paint into the abbey on 13 June. |
The 42-year-old is charged with causing criminal damage of more than £5,000 to the Ralph Heimans painting, which is worth about £160,000. | The 42-year-old is charged with causing criminal damage of more than £5,000 to the Ralph Heimans painting, which is worth about £160,000. |
He has denied the charge at Southwark Crown Court. | He has denied the charge at Southwark Crown Court. |
The court heard that Haries shouted "fathers for justice" as he sprayed the painting, titled The Coronation Theatre, which was on display behind a rope in the abbey's Chapter House as part of a wider exhibition. | The court heard that Haries shouted "fathers for justice" as he sprayed the painting, titled The Coronation Theatre, which was on display behind a rope in the abbey's Chapter House as part of a wider exhibition. |
Opening the case, prosecutor Allister Walker said: "Suddenly, a man who turned out to be the defendant jumped the rope and approached that painting with his arms raised." | |
He said steward Peter Crook, who was guarding the picture, realised Mr Haries was about to damage it and attempted to tackle the defendant to the ground. | He said steward Peter Crook, who was guarding the picture, realised Mr Haries was about to damage it and attempted to tackle the defendant to the ground. |
'Nothing against the Queen' | 'Nothing against the Queen' |
Giving evidence, Mr Crook told the court: "They started shouting 'fathers for justice' and then I heard the hissing sound, which was obviously a spray paint. | Giving evidence, Mr Crook told the court: "They started shouting 'fathers for justice' and then I heard the hissing sound, which was obviously a spray paint. |
"By then I'd got to him and I was pulling him back. We then fell over the barrier and landed on the floor. | "By then I'd got to him and I was pulling him back. We then fell over the barrier and landed on the floor. |
"He then said 'I'm sorry mate, I've got nothing against the Queen'." | |
Mr Crook said the paint marked the portrait on the face and shoulder. | Mr Crook said the paint marked the portrait on the face and shoulder. |
He added that Mr Haries had not resisted as a member of the public called for help and they waited for security and police. | He added that Mr Haries had not resisted as a member of the public called for help and they waited for security and police. |
Mr Walker said Mr Haries was asked by police if he thought he had made his point, to which he had replied "absolutely" and that he was "guilty as charged". | Mr Walker said Mr Haries was asked by police if he thought he had made his point, to which he had replied "absolutely" and that he was "guilty as charged". |
The cost of repairing the portrait, which was unveiled for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, was £7,300. | The cost of repairing the portrait, which was unveiled for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, was £7,300. |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |
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